Ste stood like a soulless doll, incapable of any reaction.


    Joshua smiled, the same carefree, unconcerned expression he always wore. "Well, the game Rachel started should finallye to an end now."


    He gave her onest, deep look, his lips parting slightly. "Star, don''t trouble yourself over this. You know I would never want to see you in a difficult position."


    With that, he turned to leave. Haynes watched the scene unfold in silence.


    It was Foreman who broke the stillness.


    "He can''t leave!" he said coldly. "We can''t just let him walk away! After everything he did, ying Star like a fiddle, he has to pay a price!"


    Foreman moved to block Joshua''s path.


    Suddenly, Haynes spoke. "Let him go."


    Foreman froze, staring at Haynes in disbelief. "Haynie, what did you just say?"


    "Let him go," Haynes repeated.


    "But....." Foreman protested, his face a mask of frustration.


    "Foreman!" Haynes cut him off, his voice sharp and cold.


    Foreman clenched his jaw. Without Haynes''s help, he knew he couldn''t stop Joshua


    alone. He took a deep breath and finally stepped aside.


    Joshua said nothing, not even sparing Foreman a nce as his figure quickly disappeared from sight.


    The moment he was gone, Foreman started to add more fuel to the fire, but Ste''s body suddenly went limp, and she fainted.


    Foreman instinctively reached for her, but Haynes was faster, scooping her up into his arms.


    Ste wasn''t sure how much time had passed when she slowly regained consciousness. A familiar, wormed face came into focus Star you''re awake! How are you feeling? Does anything hurt?"


    Ste''s longshes fluttered, and her voice was raspy. "Abby Murphy? Why are you back?"


    Abby paused, then said quietly, "It was Joshua... He asked me toe back and take care of you. I heard what happened from Haynes. Joshua... he..."


    Abby couldn''t continue. Her eyes were red, shimmering with unshed tears.


    Ste fell silent.


    Then, as if remembering something, Abby pulled a key from her pocket. "Star, Joshua asked me to give this to you."


    Ste looked at the key in Abby''s hand. "What is it?" she asked softly.


    "He didn''t say," Abby replied. "He just gave me an address."


    Ste took the key. "Where is he?"


    Abby''s lips trembled. "Joshua said. he''s leaving. He promised you he wouldn''t disappear without a word, so he asked me to say goodbye for him. He didn''t want to do it himself."


    The light in Ste''s eyes dimmed. She murmured to herself, "Gone? Yes, he always


    said he would leave eventually... After all, every game has to end."


    Though Abby hadn''t been by Ste''s side recently, she had often heard her talk about Joshua. She instinctively tried to defend him Star, don''t think what Joshua felt for you was just a game. He may have hurt you, but he... he.."


    Abby''s voice trailed off, unsure what to say next.


    The pain he had caused, even if it was in the past, had left scars on Ste''s heart that wouldn''t fade.


    She wasn''t Ste. She couldn''t forgive on her behalf, and she couldn''t ask her to, either.